FAQs

Who are Benjamin Allen and what do you do?

Benjamin Allen is a privately owned construction company that specialise in the design, manufacture and supply of one-off bespoke timber framed homes constructed to meet the needs of an individual client. We have over 30 years experience in the construction industry specialising in timber frame construction.

We can offer either a completely bespoke full design service, adapt your plans, work with your plans or use one of our standard designs. Our in house design team can design a home that is totally unique to your requirements or we can design and supply a timber frame kit based on your own architects design. We are also able to provide a comprehensive planning and building warranty service, which includes full certification by a structural engineer, offering the cost effective possibility of managing your project from initial design to erection.

Why choose Benjamin Allen?

All Benjamin Allen timber frames are manufactured by ourselves. We have complete control over quality and programme. All of our employees are fully trained carpenters with years of experience in constructing timber framed buildings. Ownership of the frame from manufacturer to on-site assembly is coordinated by Benjamin Allen.

Why choose Timber Frame?

Timber frame is a sustainable form of construction as there is a full chain of custody for the timber supplied for the frame. All the timber used in the construction of a Benjamin Allen frame is sourced from FSC approved Scandianavian forests which are constantly replenished.

Timber frame offers a faster speed of construction and reduces the overall project programme. Regardless of the weather you can be watertight within 3 weeks and begin works on the internals elements of the build.

Timber frame involves fewer wet trades so there are less drying out times and as a result less effect from the weather conditions.

During the construction of the timber frame there are fewer trades to coordinate during the structural works. You would only have one point of contact which is the frame installer.

There is a potential for reduced build cost – due to speed, quality and ease of erection.

What panel system do you use?

We currently manufacture an open panel system which is based on TR26 147mmx47mm Scandinavian treated timber studs which incorporate high performance thermal insulation between the studs, capped with a OSB (Oriented strand board) with protective frame shield. See our panel cross section for details.

How long does a timber frame self build project normally take?

Using our detailed build programme you can expect to complete the construction element of your project in 15 to 20 weeks.

Will a timber frame house look different?

No. Timber-frame houses can be clad in any of the materials listed above – brick, block and render, stone, tiles, timber or proprietary boarding – and can be given a Traditional, Cottage, Contemporary, Victorian, Tudor or any other style of appearance to suit its owners.

Depending on the location of your project we can offer a Full Turn-key solution. This provides you with a single point of contact from the design stage through to the completion of your home. This design and build solution involves Benjamin Allen taking your dream and turning it into reality. We will look after your interests from start to finish and ensure that the build runs smoothly, on time and to budget. The Full Turn package is based on a fixed price contract which offers clients piece of mind when undertaking the project.

Where do you get your frames from?

At Benjamin Allen we manufacture all our timber frames in our Sussex based workshop where strict quality control procedures are implemented. Our quality control measures comply with the ISO 9001:2008 standard.

What are the leading times?

From placement of order to timber frame manufacture takes approximately 8 weeks. This timescale can be less depending on specification, complexity of house design and size. This timescale does not include planning and building warranty.

What does the design service you offer include?

From placement of order to timber frame manufacture takes approximately 8 weeks. This timescale can be less depending on specification, complexity of house design and size. This timescale does not include planning and building warranty.

How long is the life expectancy of the timber frame?

Comparable with that of traditional blockwork construction. There are examples of timber frames which were built over 500 years ago which are structurally in excellent condition. These structures didn’t have the benefit of pressure-impregnated timbers, galvanised fixings, DPCs and plastic vapour barriers, etc. like we do today.

How are timber frame houses different from a masonry house?

In simple terms the ‘breeze-block’ structure of a typical masonry house is replaced with an engineered timber frame structure which is insulated with foil-backed rigid insulation board as well as mineral wool insulation and finished with plasterboard to the internal face. The outside of the frame is then clad in brick, block and render, stone, tiles, timber or proprietary boarding depending on the design.

Why Self Build?

There are many reasons for building a brand new home many of which are realised when the project is complete. Building your own home from scratch is the ultimate chance to create something that is completely designed around your own unique needs. Imagine living in a house that has been designed around your own personalities, tastes, and desires for extra space, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms your decision alone. Even the positioning of the windows, the size and shape of the roof and the shape of the garden can be designed around your needs.

New homes are much more energy efficient than older properties and quieter due to advances in sound insulation methods. They are also built to high safety standards to meet strict regulations. For your peace of mind all Benjamin Allen new homes are protected by the National House Building Council (NHBC) 10-year Buildmark warranty and insurance should there be any problems.

Yet having a bespoke home built especially for you sounds expensive, right? Wrong. By going through the process of arranging a design and having a personal input with the house building process you can usually save yourself up to 30% on the market value. The potential equity to be made also means that many self-builders repeat the process three or four times, culminating in a bespoke home that is mortgage free.

If you decide to manage the build yourself you will be the one who buys materials, runs the site, organises work schedules and finds and engages each specialist contractor. This method will bring the greatest savings but ideally requires previous project management experience plus time to spare.

You could engage a project manager on your site full time; a skilled professional who will hire sub-contractors, purchase materials, supervise the work, approve stage payments and run the project for you. A good project manager can help you make economies which in most cases will cover his fees.

Finally you may decide to appoint Benjamin Allen to build your entire house under our full turn-key service. Working with Benjamin Allen will still keep you closely involved while at the same time taking a lot of worry away from you thus making the project less of a task and more of a pleasure.

Selecting any of the above options, or a combination of all three, allows you to choose whatever degree of involvement in the day-to-day running of your site you prefer and will obviously determine the final degree of savings you make on your self-build project. There will however always be a saving compared to purchasing a finished house from a developer who will obviously have included an element of profit for himself in his asking price.

What should I do when I have located a likely plot?

Ascertain the exact position of the boundaries, find out the exact dimensions, check that all the services you may require (gas, electricity, water, sewage) are available within a reasonable distance. Find out the situation with regard to planning and ascertain whether any restrictive covenants are applicable to the site. Contact Benjamin Allen for further advice and guidance.

Can a Benjamin Allen design accommodate a basement?

Yes, any of our designs can accommodate a basement.

Can I get a mortgage on a Benjamin Allen timber framed house?

Yes. All major lenders offer mortgage finance for timber frame properties on the same terms as for other types of construction – it is a “Standard construction” method.

What design service do you offer?

Our service includes taking a design brief from the client, our in house technicians will then develop a proposal which meets your requirement. The initial proposal can be developed and issued within 2 weeks. Once the first proposals are complete we allow several modifications to be carried out so that it meets your requirements completely. We will make a planning application on your behalf and carry out the application paperwork including the design access statement. All fees are the responsibility of the client including the planning application fee.

What type of designs do you provide?

We have a selection of standard designs from our Georgian styled Moat House to the traditionally styled Turners Hill. The designs in our new Contemporary collection have a more modern feel. All of our designs can be modified and tailored to suit your exact needs. Or you can opt for our Benjamin Allen Bespoke service if you would like a completely individual design created from scratch.

How should I draw up my budget?

On completion of your final design we will prepare a detailed costing for the supply of your building set. We will also provide a guideline costing for the actual construction works to help you forecast and plan your budget.

With our Benjamin Allen full turn-key serice the contract is fully quoted and priced based on the JCT Design and Build form of Contract. It will include a breakdown of the items included and Provisional Sums will be allocated for kitchens, sanitaryware, flooring and fixtures and fittings.

If required, we will also provide advice on how to finance your project and we can assist in arranging mortgages and insurance cover.

How long to get a quotation returned to me?

Approximate turn around for quotation is about 1-2 weeks on average

Will I be able to obtain a mortgage or take out insurance on a timber frame house?

Yes. Insurance companies draw no distinction between modern timber frame and brick and block construction, provided the external roof covering consists of clay or concrete tiles, or natural or mineral slates.

If required, we we can also assist in arranging mortgages and insurance cover.

Do you supply windows and doors?

Yes we supply Bereko windows and external doors as part of the Standard Material Component Specification. The standard external windows and doors we supply are Double glazed Soft coat Low E Argon filled U Value UG 1.0W/M2k. As standard the windows are factory finished in any RAL colour as a no cost option. All windows have 10 year Manufacturers paint and defect warranty and a 30 year warranty against rot and fungal infection. We also offer a Triple glazed Krypton filled window as optional. As the specification is flexible it is no problem to supply your own if so desired.

How well does a timber frame perform in a fire?

Timber frame buildings must meet the same fire regulations as all other types of construction and therefore pose no greater risk to their inhabitants. All our frames meet the latest Building Regs and our frame erection complies with the Joint Code of Practice for Fire

Timber stud partitions and timber joist floors have been used for many years as fire separating elements and their performance has been proven time and time again in test and real fire situations. In the unlikely event of a fire starting within the construction, firestops and cavity barriers prevent fire spread through concealed areas. TRADA and BRE fire safety research concluded that “Timber frame performs as well as other construction in fire and life safety is at no greater risk”.

The costs depend on the specification, location and size of build. To assist you in assessing the overall cost of your project a ‘rule of thumb’ guide (based on the various procurement routes mentioned above) would be :-

Full Self-Build – £95-£110 per square foot

Project Management – £105-£130 per square foot

Main Contractor – £145-£165 per square foot

Benjamin Allen Full Turn Key – £145-£165 per square foot

These estimated square foot prices would be inclusive of the building set, shell erection and construction costs, as well as architectural and administrative services. However, they would not include the cost of your building plot, external works, services, insurances, fees and depends on your PC Sums.

If you would like more information please arrange a visit to our show centre for more details.

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